The European Commission has approved a €59 million Slovenian State aid scheme to promote battery energy storage systems, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025 .
The Slovenian measure
Slovenia notified to the Commission, under the CISAF, a €59 million scheme to support the installation of at least 370 MWh of new storage capacity, which contributes to the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal.
The purpose of the scheme is to increase the integration of renewable energy sources in the electricity system through the deployment of stand-alone battery energy storage systems. This will lead to increased stability, reliability and efficiency. The scheme will be financed by the Just Transition Fund and the ETS Modernisation Fund . Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants for the construction of new stand-alone battery electricity storage systems. The aid amount will be set by Slovenia based on the investment costs of each project.
The Commission found that the Slovenian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the CISAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on a scheme with an estimated volume and budget, the aid is granted by Slovenia based on the investment cost of each supported project, and the aid will be granted before 31 December 2030.
The Commission concluded that the Slovenian scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal . This is in line with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the conditions set out in the CISAF.
On this basis, the Commission approved the Slovenian measure under EU State aid rules.
Background
On 25 June 2025, the Commission adopted the CISAF to foster support measures in sectors which are key for the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Clean Industrial Deal.
The CISAF allows following types of aid, which can be granted by Member States until 31 December 2030 in order to accelerate the clean transition:
- Measures accelerating the rollout of renewable energy and low-carbon fuels (sections 4.1 and 4.2). Member States can set up schemes for investments in all renewable energy sources as well as energy storage, with simplified tender procedures. Specific rules are also provided to accelerate the roll-out of low-carbon fuels.
- Measures allowing temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive users to ensure the transition to low-cost clean electricity (section 4.5). Such measures will help to avoid industrial activities relocating to locations where environmental regulations are absent or less ambitious, before the decarbonisation of the EU's electricity system fully translates into lower electricity prices.
- Measures facilitating the decarbonisation of industrial processes (section 5). Member States can support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial activities to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels. This can happen through electrification, energy efficiency and the switch to the use of renewable and electricity-based hydrogen which complies with certain conditions, with expanded possibilities to support the decarbonisation of industrial processes switching to hydrogen-derived fuels.
- Measures to ensure sufficient clean technology manufacturing capacity (section 6). Member States can grant investment support for strategic projects in line with the Net Zero Industry Act (such as batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, and carbon capture usage and storage). This also includes the production of key components and the production and recycling of related critical raw materials.
- Measures to de-risk private investments required for the roll-out of clean energy, industrial decarbonisation, clean tech manufacturing, certain energy infrastructure projects, and projects supporting the circular economy (section 8).
